CPS Pupillage/Legal Trainee Scheme 2024 (2025 Start)

Hey all, so yes you only really find out if you have got a high enough score on the Civil Service test if you are invited to the Video Interview. So it is a bit of a waiting game I’m afraid. But if you get through to Video then that should be the last you see of those test results overall. (The final criteria is based on the Assessment and Interview.)

Final result comes through on or around 5 May. The idea is the CPS are competing with other pupillage providers so you will find out around then. I did. For solicitors I imagine it is the same. 🙂

Yep, got to shell out all that cash I’m afraid. It’s an expensive and closed route to become a lawyer…

Is anyone else having issues with accessing the tests ?

I did mine okay at the back end of last week. Is it giving you a message at all?

I did awful in mine

The tests certainly felt a little trickier than I was expecting!

I think that might be something to do with the adaptability of the test though, hence it shouldn’t really feel easy at any point

I met the minimum requirement however I am just wondering whether I should proceed. With the potential volume of applicants, it's likely they will increase the mimum requirement and sift out some applicants

I have applied previously but every time cannot get past the one way video 'timed and three question interview' stage so any advice would be greatly appreciate. By the way well done on securing the offer/position

They ask legal questions in the interview?

I

Hello!

I was lucky enough after years of pupillage hunting (7 years to be precise from first applying on the BPTC) to obtain one with the CPS. I start September 2024, and to be my bewilderment, scored 96% in the final interview on the scoring criteria.

Knowing how hard it is and knowing that if I can do it, anyone can, I want to give back!

Ask me anything about the process and I will do my best to help. Just so you don’t walk away with nothing, here is my top tip for each stage:

Civil Service Tests/CV

- For the tests, do the practice ones. Get an idea of how they work. In the test try not to think too hard and trust your gut.
- BUT read each question carefully. Don’t just answer ‘Dumbledore’ because your gut tells you he’s a stand up guy.
- For the CV, tailor it to being a prosecutor. Read the trainee advert and go on Gov.com. It has a job description for prosecutors. Then spin your experiences around being a prosecutor.

The Video Interview

- How I hate it. Practice your stock answers repeatedly and keep them within time (1 minute 30 seconds etc). By stock I mean ‘Why CPS’, ‘Why a prosecutor’ (they are two distinct things), ‘Why crime’ etc.
- Get in front of your phone camera, or laptop and practice the answers. You need to get comfortable in front of the camera.

The Final Assessment/Interview

- Research the law they specify using the CPS website. Often has something of value. It is likely to be a legal academic question (ie, mine was about non-violent protests and whether prosecutions interfered with human rights.) So think about how you would argue these kinds of points based on the legal area.
- Prepare the behaviours they highlight in the advert using the STAR method. Plan 3 different examples for each behaviour.
- In the final interview, look at your camera. That way it kind of simulates eye contact.

Finally, best of luck! You can do it!

Very happy to answer any questions.

Hello!

I was lucky enough after years of pupillage hunting (7 years to be precise from first applying on the BPTC) to obtain one with the CPS. I start September 2024, and to be my bewilderment, scored 96% in the final interview on the scoring criteria.

Knowing how hard it is and knowing that if I can do it, anyone can, I want to give back!

Ask me anything about the process and I will do my best to help. Just so you don’t walk away with nothing, here is my top tip for each stage:

Civil Service Tests/CV

- For the tests, do the practice ones. Get an idea of how they work. In the test try not to think too hard and trust your gut.
- BUT read each question carefully. Don’t just answer ‘Dumbledore’ because your gut tells you he’s a stand up guy.
- For the CV, tailor it to being a prosecutor. Read the trainee advert and go on Gov.com. It has a job description for prosecutors. Then spin your experiences around being a prosecutor.

The Video Interview

- How I hate it. Practice your stock answers repeatedly and keep them within time (1 minute 30 seconds etc). By stock I mean ‘Why CPS’, ‘Why a prosecutor’ (they are two distinct things), ‘Why crime’ etc.
- Get in front of your phone camera, or laptop and practice the answers. You need to get comfortable in front of the camera.

The Final Assessment/Interview

- Research the law they specify using the CPS website. Often has something of value. It is likely to be a legal academic question (ie, mine was about non-violent protests and whether prosecutions interfered with human rights.) So think about how you would argue these kinds of points based on the legal area.
- Prepare the behaviours they highlight in the advert using the STAR method. Plan 3 different examples for each behaviour.
- In the final interview, look at your camera. That way it kind of simulates eye contact.

Finally, best of luck! You can do it!

Very happy to answer any questions.

Hi, thank you for the advice!

This is a really stupid question but after the verbal and casework test, is the next step just filling in your qualifications? It mentions using the STAR method which really threw me off because I've applied for paralegal roles at CPS where they asked questions based on the STAR method and never got anywhere with it.

Thanks for the help!

Hello,

I appreciate all the information you've provided, especially regarding applying for an extension. After this current application round, I'll need to apply for an extension. I began working for LPC Law last year. I have a quick question: Is the Civil Service casework skills test the same as the SJT?

No it's basically just looking at some data to answer some questions.

Some are to find the mistakes

And it's timed.

Thank you very much.

Any tips on tailoring my cv?

This threw me off too... how do you STAR your exam results...?

My only thinking is that they have taken a generic application and just altered the questions asked. I'm assuming it would be sufficient just to list qualifications.